“These kids come up to me at my shows and they say, ‘I wanna be just like you when I grow up.’”
On Dec. 14, Philip Rivers became just the fifth quarterback to start a game in the NFL at 44 years old.
The former NFL Comeback Player of the Year, who turned 44 on Dec. 8, shocked everyone when he joined the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad after their starting quarterback went down with an injury.
He was signed on Dec. 10, elevated to the starting roster on Dec. 13 and played the following day.
In doing so, Rivers joined Steve DeBerg, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon and Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to start a game at 44 years old — with Brady returning for one more year at 45.
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But that’s not the only thing that had the internet talking upon his return.
Considering Rivers is a father to 10 kids and grandfather to one grandchild, many football fans were curious if his comeback made him the first grandfather to ever play in the NFL.
After all, that’s something DeBerg, Testaverde, Moon and Brady never accomplished.
Is Philip Rivers the first grandfather to play in the NFL?
The short answer to that question is no — but he is the second.
The first grandfather to play in the NFL was none other than Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
Favre, who spent 20 seasons in the NFL, retired after the 2010 season — his second year with the Minnesota Vikings. It was before that season that his daughter Brittany gave birth to her first child.
According to CBS News, Parker Brett was born on April 2, 2010.
Several months later, Favre announced that he would return to the Vikings for one more season after coming so close to a Super Bowl appearance the year before.
On Sept. 9, 2010, Favre became the first grandfather to actively play in the NFL in a 9-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He finished the game with 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss.
Favre, who shares his two daughters — Brittany, born around 1989, and Breleigh, born in 1999 — with his wife Deanna, according to People, finished the season with a 5-8 record in 13 games played.
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Fast forward more than 15 years and the NFL gained another grandfather.
Rivers, who spent 17 seasons in the NFL between 2004 and 2020, became a grandfather towards the end of 2024 when his oldest daughter Halle, 23, welcomed her first child.
He shares nine other children — Caroline, 20, Grace, 19, Gunner, 17, Sarah, 15, Peter, 14, Rebecca, 12, Clare, 10, Anna, 6, Andrew, 2 — with his wife Tiffany Rivers, according to People.
On Dec. 14, nearly four years after playing in what was supposed to be the last game of his career, Rivers threw for 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 16-18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Other grandfathers who have played sports professionally
A lot of things have to happen for a grandfather to play a professional sport.
First and foremost, they need to start a family during (or, in Rivers’ case, before) their career. Secondly, they need to have a career long enough to give their children time to grow up and start one of their own.
Considering how hard it is to achieve the latter, it’s no surprise that we don’t see it happen often.
But it does happen every now and then — with Rivers being the most recent case.
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With that said, here are a few other notable grandfathers who were athletic enough to continue playing professionally beyond their journey into parenthood.
Julio Franco
Julio Franco spent 23 seasons in the MLB between 1982 and 2007. He was a three-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger winner, a one-time All-Star MVP and won a batting title in 1991.
The former baseball player became a grandfather during his final season in the league.
He retired as the oldest player to hit a grand slam, oldest player to steal two bases in a game and one of the only MLB players (if not the only player) to hit a home run with his grandson in attendance, per ESPN.
Stan Musial
Stan Musial spent 22 seasons in the MLB between 1941 and 1963. He was a three-time MVP, three-time World Series champion, 24-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.
The former baseball player became a grandfather in 1963 — his last year in the league.
His first grandchild was born on Sept. 10, 1963. Later that day, Musial hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat as a grandfather during an 8-0 win against the Chicago Cubs, according to the MLB.
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe spent 26 seasons in the NHL between 1946 and 1980. He was a four-time Stanley Cup winner, 21-time All-Star, six-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner and six-time Art Ross Trophy winner.
The Hall of Fame hockey player became a grandfather in 1978 while he was playing in the WHL.
He returned to the NHL the following year for one more season with the Hartford Whalers before retiring for good. He finished that season with 15 goals, 26 assists and 41 points in 80 games with the Whalers.
Robert Parish
Robert Parish spent 21 seasons in the NBA between 1976 and 1997. He was a nine-time All-Star, four-time NBA champion, two-time All-NBA player and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.
He became a grandfather in September 1994 before starting his 19th season in the league.
One of his greatest accomplishments came in April 1996 when he broke the NBA’s all-time record for games played. He was appropriately gifted a grandfather clock at halftime for the achievement.
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Whether it’s throwing touchdowns, hitting home runs or lacing up skates, these athletes proved that becoming a grandfather doesn’t have to signal the end of a professional career.
In cases like Philip Rivers’, it simply adds another remarkable chapter to an already unforgettable legacy.
